Busse knives really worth the bux ?

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The funny thing is that it truly is the heat treat that matters in overall performance. Busse can make D2 perform better than most other steels in toughness just because of the heat treat. What made Busse's name is the original A2 steel heart. So although newer steels like INFI, SR101, etc, may have better properties, they would be useless without the heat treat. If you look at the reputation ESEE is getting with 1095, that confirms it. The heat treat they use.
 
cha. ^
Look what Phill Hartsfield did with his HT on A2.
Dozier is not too shabby with his D2 HT either.
 
I agree totally with the HT being the most important part of making a steel work. Jerry Busse has it mastered on 52100 and INFI same as Shon Rowen does on 1095. Now lets get that INFI machete going. I think a lot of people inculding myself would pay the bucks for a machete from Busse given it was designed to be a machete. If they release a 18 inch long 1/8 inch thick machete in INFI, I would second mortage my house to try that sucker out.
 
start a thread on the busse forum or rehash a potential old one which would be even better.
 
I think it would be the only Busse that would be potentially tempting enough to me to actually bother buying. Again, that's not a slam on Busse or anything but the brand just doesn't mesh with my usual MO.
 
I have 4 bussekin blades, and 2 more on order.

I guess it depends on your goal. For me, having "The best" has some intrinsic value... my Muk is by a wide margin the best skinner i've ever owned, and my TGLB is just awesome for anything i might do in the woods

I haven't used my Rukis yet, so i can't tell you how their utility is, but the handle better than i expected

I have an AK on order because who WOULDN'T want an INFI sword, and the 1311 i ordered looks to be the best short machete type chopper knife you can get for the price

I had a Gladius, and while it's an absolute beast, i didn't love it.
 
When I first went looking to replace my old lost hunting knife, I started by looking at the "poor man" selection from SMKW. But the price-to-performance ratio made them seem too expensive for what I would get. I moved on to Mora's with a high price-to-performance ratio but decided that I would prefer certain other features in both blade-design and construction-materials. I could get a stainless Gerber (and I quite like some of their designs) or I could get a 1095 Becker with plastic handles; but if I wanted micarta then I might as well 'step up' to ESEE for a comparable price; but if I wanted a more comfortable handle shape and higher-performance steel then I might as well 'step up' to Swamp Rat or Scrap Yard for a comparable price... I should also mention that I keep my eye on the secondary market, and current models that have been used will sell for less than factory-new models and may even include a sheath! Most "Used" Bussekin I've encountered are as good as new. Scuffed coating and the rare edge-chip are easy fixes.

So by that reasoning I have found the lesser Bussekin to be a better deal than many of their competitors in that I make fewer compromises in paying for what I want. Generally a custom-made knife with similar specs would cost a bit more and would not be covered by a matching warranty.

The only INFI I have put the $$ out for is the Hog Muk because their design appealed to me more than any other I could find. I could have modified a cheap Condor nessmuk but I still wouldn't quite get what I wanted in handle & blade design nor in the materials. The next closest match to the Hog Muk design is the 3V Koster, which would have cost more. Busse was the cheaper option. *shrug*

Regarding primitive societies and the tools that they use, I am reminded of the introduction of steel axes into stone-age cultures. Few if any continued to use stone. What did the Nepalese make Khukuri's from before truck springs showed up? Would a 'native' keep using his 5160 or 1075 tool if INFI was placed in his hand? As the previous poster noted above, we already know the answer. Just because the tool that you have is suitable doesn't mean that there isn't an objectively 'better' tool available.

But even if INFI's supposed superiority wasn't in question, for most of us it still wouldn't be a question of superior performance but of whether we are willing to pay to get it. Even if Stihl makes better chainsaws than Husqvarna, I couldn't afford the Stihl at the time I made my purchase, and I get the performance I need out of my less expensive Husqy.
 
This honestly has been the most civil thread ever when it comes to people on both sides of the Busse brand. I really appricate the good manners on both sides and it really has made for a very useful and enjoyable conversation amoung some knife nuts.
 
Thank you PK. ^
My newly acquired Husky chain saw, overall, is a better saw than my Stihl. And I love Stihl chain saws.
 
PatrickKnight said:
This honestly has been the most civil thread ever when it comes to people on both sides of the Busse brand. I really appricate the good manners on both sides and it really has made for a very useful and enjoyable conversation amoung some knife nuts.
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Haha yeah usually these things are shut down at page 5, aren't they! :D :D :D

Seriously, though I'm in total agreement. Nice to actually be able to debate differing viewpoints on the subject without it devolving into a screaming match.
 
well, it is always my custom to spread cheer:

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I think if people manage to stumble onto this thread that it really can change there mind when it comes to people who love the Busse brand. I know people seem to think that there are only two sides those who love Busse and those who hate and I think it is nice for people to see that there are people in the middle and no side is wrong or right they are just simply different.
 
Exactly--personal methods of use play a huge role, as well as specific applications and mindset with regards to tackling those applications.
 
Thanks for spreading the cheer(s), cobalt!
:)
And yep, overall, the Busse Folk are a pretty nice gang.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Exactly--personal methods of use play a huge role, as well as specific applications and mindset with regards to tackling those applications.
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I have been in plenty of situations where I did not have the proper tools in the field. The basic truth is you make due with what you got. One thing you do learn is that when your life depends on it, you try not to abuse your equipment. You take care of it so that it does not fail. It is nice to know, however, that you take equipment with you that can take the abuse.
 
It's very important to have a feel for the limits of a tool, which requires careful "listening" to it while in use. If you're in tune with it enough you'll know exactly how far it wants to be pushed without damage. That's just as much an acquired skill as sharpening is, though, and takes practice. Some folks instinctually "get it" and others have to put a lot of effort into getting the knack for it.
 
Hmmm... Guess I'll weigh in with my opinion. I have one Busse - an SFNO - and I honestly expect I'll never own another Busse. Not because of a complaint or the price, but because it fills my need and I really do not anticipate it breaking. Customer service was outstanding and they got a knife out to me super fast. Seriously, they were a real pleasure to deal with!

That being said, they are kind of a Gucci line. They are high quality and they've got a wide variety of models to choose from. And yes they seem to have a die-hard fan base who like to collect and trade these blades like baseball cards. Not dinging them on that, I just don't have the bankroll to play like that :) What I got from Busse is a high end survival tool that I feel comfortable betting my life on in difficult circumstances. It won't do everything as well, but that's why I also carry a smaller pocket knife. When my sons get old enough
i'll probably get them Busses of their own.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
It's very important to have a feel for the limits of a tool, which requires careful "listening" to it while in use. If you're in tune with it enough you'll know exactly how far it wants to be pushed without damage. That's just as much an acquired skill as sharpening is, though, and takes practice. Some folks instinctually "get it" and others have to put a lot of effort into getting the knack for it.
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I've long thought that as an indicator to distinguish between craftsman and apprentice. The craftsman knows exactly what his tools will or wont take, and to the untrained eye sometimes it can looks like abuse but he knows they can stand it. Woe betide some numpty that rocks up and starts wailing on them though.................It very much reminds me of the old battoning threads that do the rounds - “so, you're saying it's ok to beat it with a stick and kick it?”, “nope!”, “are you saying you shouldn't?”, “negative!”, “so just what are you saying?”, “I'm saying you should get busted down to freshman class and learn your bloody craft properly”.
 
Kampfjaeger said:
Hmmm... Guess I'll weigh in with my opinion. I have one Busse - an SFNO - and I honestly expect I'll never own another Busse. Not because of a complaint or the price, but because it fills my need and I really do not anticipate it breaking. Customer service was outstanding and they got a knife out to me super fast. Seriously, they were a real pleasure to deal with!That being said, they are kind of a Gucci line. They are high quality and they've got a wide variety of models to choose from. And yes they seem to have a die-hard fan base who like to collect and trade these blades like baseball cards. Not dinging them on that, I just don't have the bankroll to play like that :) What I got from Busse is a high end survival tool that I feel comfortable betting my life on in difficult circumstances. It won't do everything as well, but that's why I also carry a smaller pocket knife. When my sons get old enough i'll probably get them Busses of their own.
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That's a position that many seem to find elusive and envy irrespective of brand . Pukka.
 
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